Film festival to celebrate independent filmmakers

April 11, 2013

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - The second annual Maryland International Film Festival opens tonight and continues through Saturday.

One of the highlights will be the screening of the Oscar-winning "Argo," tonight at 6:45 p.m. at the Maryland Theatre. Weekend events will be held at the Maryland Theatre, Bridge of Life and Academy Theater. All are within walking distance of each other in downtown Hagerstown.

"Argo" is based on the true story of author Tony Mendez's rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Iran during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. Joseph Tovares, senior vice president of diversity and innovation at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, will lead a question-and-answer session with Mendez after the screening. Festival attendees can answer a wide variety of questions that relate to the film.

Article Photos

Submitted photoThe Maryland International Film Festival opens tonight and the Oscar-winning film ‘Argo,’ directed by Ben Affleck and based on the true story of author Tony Mendez, will be screened at 6:45 p.m. at the Maryland Theatre.

Vice President of Media Relations Tracie Hovey said Mendez is from western Maryland, and many of the festival board members know him. They're glad he consented to be involved this year.

The MDIFF was founded by filmmakers and marketing executives to be a platform for independent filmmakers to engage audiences, collaborate with others, and educate the community through the celebration of film.

Hovey was a founding member. She had come from California, and is a filmmaker. She's also been on the other side, conducting interviews on the red carpet. She said a film festival can help host towns through tourism and bringing filmmakers and those who love films, to the area.

"There are thousands of film festivals around the world," Hovey said. "I'd had a film on the festival circuit, and had interviewed A-list celebrities. A lot of major films come out at festivals before launching through the theaters. I thought it would be great to bring people together here to put on a festival."

The core group of MDIFF founders comes from varied backgrounds: film, media, school and college systems, arts groups and tourism.

The MDIFF concentrates on highlighting Maryland and other regional filmmakers. Hovey said it gives them a venue in which to promote their films. But it isn't limited to local movies.

"We're also going international," Hovey said. "We have 11 different countries represented. Some are really strong films. On Thursday, we have films from the UK and Argentina, as well as 'Argo.' On Friday, we feature local filmmakers and one from New York City. On Saturday, we have two amazing films from the UK. One of them has been at Cannes and Edinburgh film festivals."

She mentioned Seth Green, who co-stars in "The Story of Luke." She said the festival is getting the screening before it launches in theaters in the region. Writer/director Alonso Mayo is an American Film Institute graduate who won a student academy award. "The Story of Luke" is about an autistic young man trying to find his way in the world after a number of life challenges.

Many independent films, documentaries and short films will be screened. Last year, the director's cut of "Gods and Generals" was shown, with a Q-and-A with director Ron Maxwell. This year, a documentary will be shown on the making of "Gods and Generals."

A panel of judges watch each submission, and rate it 1-10 in several categories. From that, the top scorers get chosen to be featured at the festival.

Carnahan has worked with some name celebrities in Hollywood. His more recent "The Grey" gained significant renown for being a possible Oscar contender.

Sponsors of the film festival include Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Power Marketing, Maryland Theatre, Bridge of Life, Academy Theater, High Rock Studios, Anderson Photographs, Thompson Gas, The City of Hagerstown, Washington County Arts Council, 28 South, the Gourmet Goat, Bowman Hospitality and Kaplan University.

Red carpet events are planned each evening with the filmmakers from around the globe. After-parties are planned tonight at 28 South, Friday at Bulls and Bears, and Saturday at the Gourmet Goat. An awards ceremony will be held Saturday night.